Re: Ranier "do it self"

We recently acquired a step stool high enough for Ranier to reach the sink and wash his hands himself (mostly because he is too heavy to hold at the sink--30 lbs!), which he loves. Ranier finished dinner early and had already washed up while Ahrash, Dahrius and I were still enjoying our meal. After a few minutes, things became very silent wherever Ranier was (usually a good sign he's up to something), which happened to be the bathroom. We called for him, and he raced into the kitchen with his face and hands glistening. Apparently, he was busy up on his step stool in the bathroom smearing half a jar of vaseline on his face and hands, and was quite pleased with himself. :)

Re: more party and Easter fun

Ranier LOVED it when Nana read books to him during her visit....best birthday present was Nana and Papi and Uncle Joshie's visit (really!!)

Kids swooning over the cakes.
Ranier approved of his cupcake.
Papi reading more stories to Ranier in PJs.
Another fun present...a new toolbelt!

A little urban hike with a sick Ranier who only wanted be held that day...and only mom would do.

Re: double bday and Easter egg hunt!!!

We had a double-birthday party in Tilden for the boys...5 and 2!! We had a lot of help from grandparents (Nana & Papi, visiting from Tucson) and Uncle Joshie. We had a great time, with gorgeous weather, lots of cupcakes and a bunny cake! A few of the grown-ups even played a few glorious games of grass volleyball. FUN!


Ranier is trying his arm at his first Pinata!!! No dents yet, but a good time was had by all and everyone did a fine job giving the pinata a good whack. Thank goodness for the "big" 7-8 yr-old kids, Megan and Knoa, who put some good holes in.


3-yr old Baden taking a swing...and the kids lining up behind.

Mayhem
Easter morning we had a little hunt for eggs in the backyard. here's Ranier.

Each time, he shouts, "I found one! AHA!"
Dahrius searching...
A big one!



Look at all our eggs!! Ranier wouldn't look up, he just said, "too heavy!"
Nana is helping.

Dahrius having a ride on the infamous Uncle Joshie.
Ranier hiding.

Re: visit from nana, planet play, and more!

Here's the view from our house looking over Marin county...a full moon at dawn. And below, a lovely sunset.


The infamous Nana came for a visit, and read many books to the boys.

We took a trip to Tilden and rode the steam trains.


On the first day of spring, Dahrius's class presented an incredible play on the solar system. Dahrius played the planet........EARTH! Maman & Baba could attend the event.


Here comes Earth into the Milky Way!!
Earth and his moon (friend Lucienne)

Saturn (Ben) was very cute (below).

The sun (Avinashi in orange) was at the center of our solar system, and all the planets surrounded her.


Astronauts (Fiona & Rashi) landed at each planet from their rocket (above) and the planets told us something about them. Here are the planets (below) visiting Saturn...which smells like rotten eggs, in case you didn't know.
Now for Earth, who said perfectly, "I am Earth. I have water, land, oxygen, and birth. People and animals, flowers and trees, I have so much live living on me. Want to meet my moon??"



Then the stars all ran around the moon and were excessively cute.

Then each planet took an "orbit" around the sun.



A post-play congratulatory hug from Baba.



We also had an early birthday celebration with grandparents Mina and Monty, who can't come to the big birthday bash. Below is Ahrash's fantastic chocolate cake. MMMMMMM!


Dahrius got an awesome "Birdscapes" singing pop-up book which was and is quite a hit!

Everyone needs a snooze from time to time, especially my soon to be not-a-4-yr-old.